United States Postal Inspection Service urges consumers to report telemarketing scams

U.S., Jamaican Authorities Target Sweepstakes, Foreign Lottery Fraud

July 22, 2014

The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and other law enforcement agencies in the United States and Jamaica are turning up the heat on Jamaica-based telemarketing scammers. The rip-off artists pose as lawyers, customs officials, or lottery representatives, and target U.S. residents with phony promises of sweepstakes or lottery winnings.

According to the USPIS, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Jamaica Constabulary Force, these sweepstakes and lottery promotions are likely to be fake. “Winners” are told they can claim a prize if they pay for shipping, insurance, customs duties, or taxes, but in reality there is no prize – and the scammers keep the money.

The partnership between U.S. and Jamaican authorities – known as JOLT (Jamaican Operations Linked to Telemarketing) – allows the agencies to share information, investigators, and complaint data. This initiative helps expose fraudulent telemarketing operations in Jamaica and shut them down.

Contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service® if you think you've been victimized by a fraudulent offer online at http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov, by telephone at 1-877-876-2455, or by mail at the following address: